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Micro and small companies (MYPES) have consolidated themselves as one of the main drivers of the salvadoran economy, bringing employment, productive activity and growth opportunities in various sectors of the country.
For Rafael Pleitez, research advisor and coordinator of the Observatorio MYPE de la Fundación de Apoyo Integral (FUSAI), the relevance of this sector is reflected in its economic contribution. As explained, micro and small enterprises (MYPES) contributed on average 48.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2020 and 2023 and generated 70% of the employment of the economically active population.
“The MYPES are the backbone of the economy in El Salvador”, said Pleitez during an interview in which he highlighted that its impact made them a decisive actor for the economic growth and social inclusion of the country.
The figures also reflect a favorable outlook for the sector. According to Pleitez, the second half of 2025 recorded the highest levels of business confidence since the MYPE Observatory’s measurements began in 2020, while the first quarter of 2026 achieved the best result for the beginning of the year.
The specialist noted that sectors such as transport and commerce demonstrate the best levels of business confidence, driven by the dynamism of activities such as tourism and construction.
From the experience of FUSAI, an organization that promotes financing, training and research programs to strengthen business development, Luis Antonio Castillo Rivas, corporate director of the foundation, ensured that there is an important segment of MYPES that carries outgrowth and expansion processes.
“There are many MYPES that are formalizing, small companies that are growing and scaling”, expressed Castillo, who highlights that innovation, digital transformation and better business management are key factors to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness.
Training is also generating concrete results. According to data shared by FUSAI, the Escuela de Empresarios Líderes MYPE (LID) has served 4,210 entrepreneurs since 2017 and graduated 2,033 participants during 2025. Furthermore, those who attended the programa MBA Acelera registered an average increase of 33% in their annual sales, accumulating more than US$20 millions in sales.
Castillo highlights that these training processes on the ground strengthen business capabilities, which also contribute to employment generation and sustainability. During 2025, FUSAI’s business support ecosystem will help strengthen more than 71,000 jobs linked to the sector.
The figures support the weight of MYPES in the national economy. With participation close to half of GDP, seven of each generation of jobs and historic levels of business confidence, this sector continues to position itself as one of the main drivers of El Salvador’s economic development.
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